and considerable private fortune. This gentleman who had but recently obtained an extensive Grant, on the River St. John, entered into engagements with Sir William Alexander, for settling the country with Scotch emigrants, and for procuring the submission of his son, who, at that time commanded a small fort at Cape Sable. During his residence in England he married a maid of honor of the Queen of England, and was created a Baronet of Nova-Scotia.

Two ships of war being placed under his command, he set sail with his lady for Nova-Scotia, and having arrived at Cape Sable, he sought a personal interview with his son, to whom he boasted of the reception he had met with in England, of his interest at Court, and the honor of knighthood which had been conferred upon him. He set forth in glowing colors the advantages that would result to him from submitting to the English Government, and concluded by informing him that he was empowered, in the event of his compliance, to confirm him in his appointment, and to invest him with the same honorary distinction which had been bestowed upon himself. His son, equally surprised and indignant at the offer, replied that he was sensible of the honor designed for him, but unfortunately the condition on which it was of fered was no less than treason, that he was much deceived if he thought him capable of such conduct, and that he would defend his fort with his life sooner than deliver it up to the enemies of his country. La Tour, having received this unexpected answer, returned on board of his ship, and on the following day addressed a letter to his son, filled with the most

*The harbour where this fort stood is still called Port la Tour.

pressing entreaties, and couched in the most affectionate language; but finding this ineffectual he restored to threats, alluded to the respectable force under his command, and entreated him as a farther not to compel him to consider his son as an enemy. Persuasions and threats proving equally unavailing, he made preparations for taking the place by force, and having landed his men, he made a vigorous attack upon the fort. After an ineffectual attempt of two days, in which he lost many men, La Tour abandoned the hope of succeeding in his enterprise, and the English were again embarked.

He was afraid to return to France, and ashamed to appear again in England, and the only alternative left, of accepting an asylum from his son, was equally humiliating. In this situation his son offered him permission to reside in the neighbourhood, on the express condition that neither he nor his wife should enter the fort, and accordingly his servants and effects were landed, and the ships immediately returned to England. Notwithstanding the failure of this enterprise, La Tour was not abandoned by his patron. In the succeeding year he joined a party of Scotch emigrants, who landed at Port Royal and built a fort on the west side of the basin (Granville) nearly opposite to Goat Island, the remains of which are still visible, and retain the traditionary name of the Scotch Fort.

Here thirty of the emigrants died during the first winter, and the hopeless expense and numerous difficulties of settling this infant colony, induced Sir William Alexander to convey his title to the whole of Nova Scotia (with the exception of Port Royal) to

his friend Claude de la Tour, to hold of the Crown of In the mean time Sir David Kirk had ef

Scotland.

fected the conquest of Canada.

Before he sailed up the River he visited Cape Breto, which submitted without resistance, and having erected a fort for its protection, he appeared before Quebec early in July. Champlain, who at that time had the supreme command in New France, knowing his means to be inadequate for a defence, surrendered the city by capitulation on the 19th July, 1629. The terms were very favourable to the French colony, and were so punctually and honourably fulfilled by the English, that the greater part of the inhabitants chose to remain with the captors, in preference to returning to France as had been stipulated in the treaty. Thus was the Capital of New France subdued by the arms of England, just one hundred and thirty years before its final conquest by the celebrated General Wolfe. The importance of this acquisition to the British empire was either not then known or not generally appreciated, for, by the treaty of St. Germains, in 1632, Charles I. resigned the right which he had claimed to New France to Lewis XIII; and Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Canada, were immediately taken possession of by the French government. From this unfortunate treaty may be dated the commencement of a long train of calamities to the colonies and to England, the subsequent provincial disputes, and in some measure the success of the American Revolution.

CHAPTER II.

Formation of the Company of New France.-Razillai appointed Governor of Nova Scotia.-Settles at La Have.— Captures the depot at Pemaquid-Dies.-Is succeeded by Daune de Charnise.-Hostilities between Charnise and La Tour.-Treaty between Charnise and the Government of Massachusetts.-Capture of La Tour's Fort.-Death of Charnise.-Conquest of Nova Scotia by Major Sedgewick.Removal of Denys.---Grant by Oliver Cromwell to La Tour, Sir Thomas Temple and William Crowne-Treaty of Breda.-Conquest of Nova Scotia by Sir William Phipps.--Villebon appointed Governor. -New Charter of Massachusetts, includes Nova Scotia.

The Newport Frigate, and Fort at Pemaquid, taken by the French.--Col. Church's expedition to Beau Basin.-Peace of Kyswick-Col. Church attacks Minas -unsuccessful attempt of the English upon Port Royal -Nova Scotia conquered by General Nicholson-Skirmishes with French and Indians--Peace.

[From 1632 to 1713]

THE distress of the French in North America, previous to their conquest by the English, had attracted the notice of the ministry, and the Duke de Ventadour, the viceroy, was required to resign his commision, preparatory to the formation of an association, to be styled the company of New France. Richelieu, the Mareschal Defiat, superintendant of finances, and many other persons of distinction, were the chief promoters of the scheme; and their number being increased to one hundred and seven, the articles of confederation were signed on the 19th of April, 1627. The whole of New

France was conveyed to them under the following regulations. First, that the partnership should, next year, (1628) send over to New France, two or three hundred workmen of all kinds; and engage to augment before the year 1643, the French inhabitants to the number of sixteen thousand; to lodge, maintain, and find them in all necessaries for three years, and then to make an equal distribution among them of the lands that should be cleared, according to their respective wants, furnishing each family with seed to sow. Secondly, That no colonist, who was not a native Frenchman, should be admitted in New France; and that all Hugonots, as well as strangers, should be excluded. Thirdly, that in every district, at least three priests should be maintained, whom the partnership was to supply with all necessaries, both for their persons and missions, for fifteen years; after which time they were to live upon the cleared lands that were to be assigned them..

On the other hand his Most Christian Majesty, to indemnify the partnership for those expences, gave up to them in perpetuity the fort and district of Quebec, with all the territory of New France, comprehending that part of Florida which had been settled by his predecessors, with all the course of the great river, till it discharges itself into the sea; with all the isles, ports, havens, mines, and fisheries, contained in that vast extent of territory; his Majesty reserving to himself only the faith and homage of the inhabitants, and a golden crown of eight marks weight, to be paid to himself and his successors, together with the provisions for the officers of justice, who were to be named, and